The explosive-laden drone found near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig Airport in early August may have belonged to Russia’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.
A source in US intelligence told ABC News.
The US official said the drone’s design and the explosives installed on it are characteristic of Russia’s GRU. The American assessment was drawn up jointly with Germany’s security services and law enforcement.
The device failed to detonate only because its firing mechanism had been disconnected. In response, Russia’s foreign intelligence accused European media and German politicians of making premature allegations against Moscow before the investigation had concluded.
Investigators believe the drone was intended to disable aircraft at the airfield in order to delay weapons supplies to Ukraine and intimidate Berlin. Leipzig is known to be an important logistics hub used by the United States and NATO members to transport weaponry.
According to US officials, 18 drone-related incidents have already been recorded at this airport since the start of the year.
- The first drone was discovered on 4 August near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft. According to the investigation, the drone was fitted with explosives and may have been intended to attack the aircraft. However, its detonator apparently did not go off. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said the aircraft operated by the Ukrainian company were not damaged and no one was injured.
- Another drone, according to a preliminary version, may have collided with a DHL cargo aircraft. Because the airport was closed, the aircraft was forced to go around. However, investigators are increasingly doubtful that the damage to the aircraft was in fact caused by a drone.
- On 14 August, German investigators found a third drone, which was likely linked to a failed attempt to attack Leipzig/Halle Airport. Traces of a military explosive substance were found nearby.